STUDENTS from around the globe are making Ambleside their home after enrolling on the University of Cumbria’s first ever international course.

Outdoor enthusiasts from countries including China, Australia and Germany are among the 17 students spending the Autumn term in the Lake District as part of their masters in Transcultural European Outdoor Studies.

The qualification is the first of its kind and is being run by the university, Germany’s University of Marburg and Norway’s School of Sport Sciences.

Course leader Dr. Christopher Loynes said: “Within this time frame, our ambition is to make the course a coveted choice for people interested in pursuing a career in the outdoor field. We also aim to develop tight links with non-European universities and make the course truly global. Eventually, we plan to make the course financially self-sustaining through the charging of student fees.”

The course will be funded by the European Commission for the next five years and once students have left Ambleside in the New Year they will spend their next two terms at the other institutions.

While some of the students area already experienced in outdoor studies, for many this is a new area of knowledge and expertise.

Katerina Pata from Greece, who previously studied to be a pre-school teacher, said:“I couldn’t find a relevant masters course in Greece and applied for courses elsewhere in Europe. I liked this course because I get a chance to go to three different countries and learn various approaches to the subject. My goal is to make the concept of outdoor learning more prominent in my country and create my own outdoor kindergarten.”

However, others come to the course with a lot of experience like Wilson Wai Yin Cheung who is a former president of the mountaineering association of Hong Kong.

The students, who come from 15 countries, will be living in university accommodation in Ambleside and learning the theoretical knowledge and practical qualifications necessary to be successful outdoor industry professionals.

During their first semester they will undertake two week-long hiking expeditions, one in the Scottish Highlands and one in the Lake District and a week-long canoeing trip.

MORE than 10,000 people flocked to Crooklands at the weekend to celebrate quality local produce.

Country Fest — organised by Westmorland Agricultural Society — showcased the finest food and drink the area has to offer.

Independent food and drink producers and suppliers, who give the region its culinary reputation, tempted the senses at the County Showfield and gave visitors an insight into where their food comes from.

The family event also included a pets’ corner, ‘meet the farmer’, sheep shearing demonstrations, music and dance, a ‘grow your own’ area, crafts, beer festival, trade stands and dog shows.

Sheep dog trials were a new addition this year and The Westmorland Gazette hosted a wedding fair.

Richard and Barbara Mathews, from Kendal, were impressed with the range of items on sale and stocked up on locally-produced pies.

“We have such a wide variety of food here,” said Mr Mathews.

“We have got a lot of farmers who are extending what they do into other products and we like to support them.”

Tommy Brady, also from Lancaster, said: “The amount of food that is available is amazing. There are umpteen different types of sausage and pies — you want to buy it all.”

Christine Knipe, chief executive of Westmorland Agricultural Society, said: “The sunshine did bring people out on the Sunday and it was very busy.